[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27599-27600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11748]
[[Page 27597]]
Vol. 76
Wednesday,
No. 91
May 11, 2011
Part V
The President
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Proclamation 8670--National Women's Health Week, 2011
Proclamation 8671--Mother's Day, 2011
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 11, 2011 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 27599]]
Proclamation 8670 of May 6, 2011
National Women's Health Week, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Women are a foundation of our families, and their
health affects the well-being of our communities and
our country. They often make health care decisions for
their families as well as themselves. However, American
women have not always had access to the health care
they need, or the freedom to make the best health
choices for their loved ones. As a Nation, we must
ensure our mothers, daughters, friends, and colleagues
receive fair treatment and access to resources they
need to live healthy, happy lives. During National
Women's Health Week, we reaffirm our commitment to
making women's health a priority.
In the past, insurance companies have effectively
considered being a woman a ``pre-existing condition,''
and the specific medical needs of women meant higher
fees and less coverage. Before the Affordable Care Act
became law last year, insurance companies could deny
coverage to women due to previous events such as having
had cancer or having been pregnant. In 2014, it will be
illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against
anyone with a pre-existing condition, or charge women
higher premiums than they charge men.
The Affordable Care Act gives women greater freedom and
control over their health care. Thanks to this landmark
legislation, women joining new health plans have the
ability to choose their own doctor from any primary
care provider, OB-GYN, or pediatrician in their health
plan's network without a referral. The new insurance
exchanges created by this law ensure coverage of
preventive care and basic health services, including
maternity care, which is often not provided in health
plans in the individual insurance market.
National Women's Health Week is also an opportunity for
women of all ages, ethnicities, and economic
circumstances to take simple, everyday steps to embrace
healthier lifestyles. This week, we encourage women to
schedule their annual checkups and talk to their health
care provider about important health screenings, many
of which will be free of charge because of the
Affordable Care Act. All American women and their loved
ones can visit www.WomensHealth.gov and
www.GirlsHealth.gov for more information and resources
on living longer and healthier lives. During National
Women's Health Week, I encourage women, and all
Americans, to make their own health a priority and
support each other in these efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim May 8 through May 14,
2011, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all
Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in
protecting women's health and to promote awareness,
prevention, and educational activities that improve the
health of all women.
[[Page 27600]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2011-11748
Filed 5-10-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P